How To Make Ice Cream From Scratch

Most people do not know how to make ice cream from scratch anymore. However, with this simple technique you can make your own ice cream without using an ice cream machine. This is an easy and delicious project to do with your kids. Using an ice cream maker will take about twenty minutes. This method takes about three and a half hours, but you do not have to worry about purchasing and storing another big and bulky peace of equipment. This ice cream will be harder then ice cream from scratch using an ice cream maker, but will still be delicious.

Ingredients need to make ice cream from scratch:

2 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup sugar

1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla

Metal bowl with lid

Mix the milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. It will take about five minutes with a mixer. Add the cream and continue to mix on a low speed. Add the desired amount of vanilla.

Pour the homemade ice cream mixture into a wide metal or stainless steel bowl. Plastic or glass will work, but the ice cream will freeze faster in a metal container giving you a smoother consistency. A wide bowl also speeds up the freezing process and makes it easier to mix.

Place ice cream in the refrigerator for about one hour. Remove the well chilled mixture and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

Place the ice cream back in the freezer for forty more minutes. Beat again with the electric mixer. The edge of your ice cream will start to thicken. Scrape the edges with a spatula and continue to beat with the electric mixer. This will add air to the cream and break up any ice crystals. Repeat this cycle at least two more times or until you get the hardness you like. The more you mix the ice cream the smoother and softer it will be. If you prefer a harder ice cream, mix less often.

It will normally take about three hours of freezing to make your ice cream from scratch, but it is worth every minute. You can use this method with other homemade ice cream recipes.